JP2001223048A - Electric connector assembly and forming method of conductive contact - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a new and improved electric connector assembly and a method to produce it. SOLUTION: In the electric connector assembly, a pin member which has at least one spring protrusion which is adjacent to the end of pin connector assembly is equipped at it, and at a socket connector assembly, a tubular member is equipped that is formed in a hollow tubular shape and that is formed in a shape which can receive the connector while arranged as a row in an insulator, being engaged with the pin connector assembly. By connecting the protrusion so that it is fitted to the inner face of the socket, a line in which an electric contact has been improved between the pin member and socket member is supplied, and an improved conductive coupling can be achieved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrical connector device, and more particularly to a spring pin member having a projection thereon.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Electrical contact assemblies for electronic systems and devices are widely used. In many instances, such contact assemblies are used to facilitate initial assembly and ultimately to facilitate servicing and replacement of sub-components on a modular base. One type commonly used by electrical contact assemblies is a contact socket in which a plurality of contact elements, e.g., contact pins, are arranged in a row in an insulator and arranged in the same number of rows. The pin is adapted to engage with a connector adapted to receive the pin in a sliding relationship. Such electrical contact assemblies include several means for providing friction to insert and retain the pin in the socket. Such friction is typically achieved by providing the socket with longitudinally extending slots or cuts. As another means, the socket may be provided with a reduced diameter portion in the circumferential direction.

In any event, the miniaturization and minimization of electronic components and subassemblies have also pushed the manufacturing requirements for electrical contact assemblies to be smaller and even smaller. Wiring technology is a conductor called "ribbon", that is, a generally flat ribbon or sheath.
However, very small gauges and conductors, consisting of multiple strands or braids, have evolved into having aligned rows evenly spaced across the width of the ribbon. To facilitate the connection, connectors have been developed to match the spacing of the conductors. The electrical contact assembly has been reduced in size, the dimensions for the contact pins to be inserted into the socket are 0.0125 inches (0.32 mm), and the outer diameter of the socket is 0.018 inches (0.46 mm), adjacent The distance between the socket and the center is 0.025 inch (0.64 m
m), providing a density of about 1000 contacts per square inch. Such a reduction in size will cause a corresponding problem.

One fundamental problem is that the very small dimensions of both the contact pins and sockets cause even very slight lateral forces to bend or break. In addition, the contact assembly is capable of repeated insertion and withdrawal, and the interconnecting members must not cause significant twisting and create electrical defects. In order to provide electrical interconnection between the fine gauge ribbon conductor and the connector, soldering has been performed by mechanical means, such as wrinkling. The portion of the insulator surrounding the conductors was removed for wrinkling and soldering purposes, exposing a certain length of each conductor in the ribbon. The conductor is positioned within the tubular portion of the contact pin or socket and a mechanical force is applied to deform the tubular portion to provide a mechanical coupling within the conductor. I have. Such wrinkled portions may be made in any convenient shape, but typically have a wrinkled cross-sectional shape and are formed in a star or figure eight, i.e., in a line where the force to make the wrinkles is present. Along the opposite direction to the diameter of the tubular section. Wrinkling or soldering must be performed in such a way that the strands of the conductor are not destroyed and must be such that the conductor can be held inside even if it is pulled in the axial direction with the minimum expected force. There must be. Solder outflow holes must be provided in the contact members to enhance the soldering process.

In such a connector assembly, the electrical contact on the separable sliding or telescopic members requires a minimum normal force between the members to achieve a hermetic connection with low electrical resistance. This required normal force varies with the metal material contained therein, as well as surface finish, plating, oxide films, and the like. The most common contact systems used in electrical connector assemblies are those in which a male contact or a pin is telescopically inserted into a female "spring" contact. The shape of the pins and sockets can be round, square, triangular or rectangular in cross section. Many such sockets are designed with beams supported by simple ends formed by strips or longitudinal slots, all of which are assembled to provide one or more longitudinal arms, Are bent or deformed in the lateral direction so that when engaged with the male member, the vertical force makes electrical contact effective.

As a result of such a geometry, spring socket contacts are long. In addition, it is necessary to insert a probe (detector) into the spring socket to test the electrical circuit, and care must be taken that the spring element does not flex beyond its elastic limit. Must. To avoid such danger,
Common practice is to house the spring socket as an integral part of the socket in a closed mating support sleeve or shroud, or to have a recess surrounding the contact portion provide support to prevent damage to the probe. ing. For some of these reasons, it is common sense to house the socket in an insulator and use exposed cantilevered contact pins for the mating connector.
For this geometric reason, the less powerful members are exposed to the contact system and are more likely to break or bend.

An example of an electrical contact using a flexible pin is
U.S. Patent No. 4,660, issued April 28, 1987
No. 922, "Terminal plug body and connector", inventor Cooney. An example of a connector assembly is described in US Pat. No. 5,254, issued Oct. 19, 1993.
No. 022, "Electrical Connector Apparatus and Method of Manufacture Thereof", inventor Stuart, in which the socket is made of a seamless tubular member and has a spring recess adjacent its open end. . Another example of a spring socket contact is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,385,492, "Electrical Connector Apparatus and Method of Manufacture," issued Jan. 31, 1995, by Stuart.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved electrical connector assembly and a method for manufacturing the same.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing and other objects of the present invention are directed to an electrical connector assembly including a pin connector assembly and a socket container assembly, wherein the pin connector assembly comprises a row connector. Recesses formed on the surface thereof include insulator means, and spring pin members provided in each of the recesses, wherein each of the pin members is substantially identical and made of a conductive material. The insertion end of the pin member terminates at or within the surface and has at least one protrusion integrally formed on an outer surface of the pin member and the protrusion is a predetermined distance from the end of the pin member. Wherein the predetermined distance is a function of the diameter of the pin member, the socket container connector assembly including insulator means and a row of generally tubular socket members. Is Are shaped and dimensioned to cooperate with and engage with the spring pin members located inside the socket pins, and each of the socket members is configured to receive the projections after the spring pin members are inserted. The electrical connector assembly is adapted to provide an abutting relationship for abutting against and electrically engaging the opposite inner side wall of the socket member.

In another aspect, the present invention is an electrical connector assembly including a pin connector assembly and an insulator, wherein the pin connector assembly has a row of recesses formed on a surface thereof. An insulator means, and a conductive pin member disposed in each recess, the insulator having a tubular socket member with a generally circular cross section in a row;
The socket member is shaped and sized and arranged to engage and cooperate with the pin members in the socket member, wherein each of the pin members is made of a tubular material, and Spring means for abutting and abutting the pin member against an opposite inner side wall of the socket member, the spring means including at least one protrusion integrally formed on an outer surface of the pin member. And having a protrusion positioned at a predetermined distance from an end of the pin member to allow the pin member to be partially inserted into the socket member before engaging the protrusion. An electrical connector assembly is provided.

[0011] In yet another aspect, the invention is a method of making a mechanically and electrically conductive contact in an electrical connector, the method comprising a generally circular pin member at least a predetermined distance from an insertion end of the pin member. A projection for supplying a pin member integrally formed thereon, for supplying the pin member such that the predetermined distance is correlated to the diameter of the pin member, and for receiving the pin member. Providing a generally circular socket member and inserting the pin member into the socket member such that the protrusion engages an opposing inner side wall of the socket member and engages the pin member and the pin member; A method is provided for producing an enlarged contact area between socket members.

[0012] With this arrangement, a continuous line of electrical contact between the pin and the socket is provided by the projections abutting the inner surface of the socket, and an improved electrical conductor connection is effectively achieved. You. The present invention further provides a method for forming a conductive contact on an electrical connector.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. In multiple drawings,
Similar elements have similar reference numerals.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the drawings, the electrical connector assembly includes a pin connector assembly 12 and a socket connector assembly 14. The pin connector assembly 12 includes a row of pins 16, i.e., a plurality of rows are comprised of generally parallel and equally spaced contact pins (only one shown), each pin being generally identical and having a contact pin 16. Is formed in a hollow member. Socket connector assembly 14
Are made in the form of mating rows, i.e., consist of an equal number of rows of tubular socket members 22, each of which is generally identical and formed of a tubular conductive material. To meet the requirements of today's electronic devices, the pins 16 and socket members 22 are typically made of a gold-plated conductive metal material.

The plurality of contact pins 16 are arranged in a row at substantially equal intervals and at equal angles by a method of pouring the pins 16 into a common three-dimensional connector body 19 formed of an appropriate insulating material or by injection molding. (I.e., with each longitudinal axis lying in a common plane). Generally flat surface 2 of the body coaxial with pin 16
0, the same number of pockets or tubular recesses 21 are formed, each recess 21 receiving the pin 16 in a coaxial relationship and having its end 17 spaced inwardly from the open end of the recess 21. The shape, size, and arrangement are as follows.

The socket members 22 are arranged in a row in an angular relationship (ie, each longitudinal axis is in a common plane) by casting or injection molding into a body 24 formed of a suitable insulating material. T) has been maintained. The socket member 22 is shown as a cantilever beam, the free end 27 of which is inserted outward from the end face 23 of the main body 24, and the tubular socket member 22 is inserted into the engaging recess 21 of the main body 19 so as to be electrically connected to the spring pin 16. Separated by a distance sufficient to effect a sexual connection. For this purpose, the outer diameter of the pin 16 in the region of the projection 33 is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the tubular socket member 22. The end face 23 of the socket connector assembly 14 is formed to have substantially the same dimensions as the end face 20 of the pin connector assembly 12. When the pin 16 engages the socket member 22, the end faces 23 and 20 are in a flat butting relationship. The other end 2 of the socket member 22
8 is shaped to receive conductive means, for example a cable 29.

Although the connector assembly has been shown and described,
It should be understood that the concept of a spring pin 16 with projections is applicable to other electrical connector configurations. The ends 17 of the pins 16 are rounded and shaped so that they can be inserted into the corresponding electrical socket members 22. End 31 opposite pin 16
Is shaped to be suitably attached to a conductive member such as a conductive cable or ribbon member 40 (FIG. 6).

Since it has a predetermined length, the outer bulge or the outer diameter of the projection 33 is larger than the inner diameter of the socket 22, and the outer diameter of the projection 33 is
2 is large enough to engage with 2. Thus, the pins 16 are protected by a shroud or housing, and the insulating material of the body 12 provides protection against bending and breakage.

As shown in detail in FIG.
Provides a springing action for the socket 22, provides a means for facilitating engagement with the socket 22, and provides a means for receiving a cable 29 or other conductor, such as a ribbon-shaped conductor means. Due to the spring action during insertion of the pin 16 into the socket member 22, a generally sized, generally egg-shaped projection 33 is provided on the outer surface of the pin 16 adjacent to the pin engaging end 17. It is provided by forming. One or two such regions can be provided to align the long axis of the projection 33 with the longitudinal axis of the pin 16. For optimal spring operation, the protrusion 33 is formed at a predetermined distance from the end 17, i.e., a distance that is correlated to the diameter of the tube used. If the position of the protrusion is too close to the end 17, it becomes more difficult to insert the pin 16. In the preferred embodiment, the center of the projection 33 and the end 17
Is three times the diameter of the tube, and it is not preferred that this distance exceed five times.

During the formation of the projection 33, the pin member 16 becomes slightly elliptical in the formation area. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the distance in the Y-axis direction is slightly larger than the distance in the X-axis direction. In the formation region, by the combination of the protrusion and the slight elliptical shape of the pin member 16,
When the pin is inserted into the socket member 22, a spring engagement force is supplied. Although two protrusions are shown in FIG. 3, one protrusion may be sufficient for some applications, and is preferred. The height of the projections 33 is selected to produce the desired engagement force to hold the pin 16 in place, ie, to achieve a minimum frictional engagement. The projections 33 are shaped, dimensioned and arranged to provide the required spring engagement force while minimizing local stress concentrations. The protrusion 33 is not a sharp step, but a smooth flowing protrusion. After the pin 16 has been inserted into the socket member 22 a sufficient distance, the protrusion (33) has a joint (seamless) in the axial direction. Are positioned at such a point that they can provide a spring force.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, means for facilitating engagement of pin 16 with socket 22 include:
The tapered inner opening 30 of the socket 22 is
It facilitates the insertion of Pin 16 is socket 2
As it progressively engages into 2, the upper edge of pin 16 will encounter a spring or frictional force on the outer surface of projection 33. At this point, the inner surface of the socket 22 abuts the projection 33 and the pin member 16
Works to return the outer diameter from a slightly elliptical shape to a rounded shape, thereby forcibly pressing the projection 33 inward in the figure. Therefore, the linear lower end of the pin 16 is pressed against the lower inner surface of the socket 22 to create an enlarged contact area, and the pin 16 and the socket member 22
To provide continuous electrical contact with the interior surface of the Thus, the outermost point at the highest point of the projection 33,
Or along a line diametrically opposite the geometric center,
A significant portion of the area of the pins 16 will achieve good mechanical and electrical conductive contact with the arcuate inner lower surface of the socket member 22.

As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG.
The open end 27 is provided with a chamfered or tapered inner opening 30 to facilitate insertion of the rounded end 17 of the pin 16. Properly shaped openings are provided on the opposite sides of the engagement ends of both pin 16 and socket 22 to facilitate insertion of electrical conductor 40.

The spring pin 16 can be manufactured in a variety of ways, but one approach is to start with a suitable flat piece of common copper alloy material and form a depression or recess in the surface, and The protrusions are formed and then the flat strip is rolled into a desired shape such that the protrusions face the outside of the rolled material. The insertion end is then closed, or partially closed, to a generally rounded shape by conventional processing methods.

As shown in FIG. 7, a V-shaped recess 32 is formed at an appropriate distance from the end portion 28 as a wire stop (fastener) of the socket conductor 22.
By closing the inner diameter of 2, the distance is set such that a sufficient wire stop can be formed.

[0024]

The present invention provides an electrical connector assembly in which a socket member assembly is provided with a connector element having an increased outer diameter configured to be inserted into a recess of a connector pin assembly. A spring pin having a projection thereon is connected into the socket member to form a pin member 1.
A conductive engagement relationship is achieved by the force of the spring means provided by the projections 33 formed in 6. While the invention has been illustrated and described with respect to a preferred embodiment, it should be understood that various other adaptations and modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view of an electrical connector assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a pin member of the connector assembly of FIG. 1 illustrating a spring pin protrusion according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the pin member taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2, illustrating an example having two spring pin protrusions.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the socket member taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 7 illustrating a wire stop portion of the connector.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a part of the socket member of FIG. 1 showing an engagement state of a spring pin protrusion according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a socket-side engaging portion of the socket member of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view illustrating details of a socket member of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 pin connector assembly 14 socket connector assembly 16 pin 17 end 19, 24 body 21 recess 22 socket member 27 free end 29 cable 32 V-shaped recess 33 protrusion

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Ross M. Stuart 92234, CA, United States, Moonlight Drive, Moonlight Drive, 68320 F-term (reference) 5E023 AA04 AA08 AA11 BB03 BB06 EE14 EE34 GG01 HH05 HH08 HH24 HH30

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. An electrical connector assembly including a pin connector assembly and a socket container assembly, the pin connector assembly comprising: an insulator means having a row of recesses formed on a surface thereof. A spring pin member provided in each of the recesses, wherein each of the pin members is substantially the same and made of a conductive material, and an insertion end of each of the pin members terminates on the surface or inside thereof. And at least one projection integrally formed on an outer surface of the pin member, wherein the projection is positioned at a predetermined distance from an end of the pin member, the predetermined distance being the diameter of the pin member. Wherein the socket receptacle connector assembly includes an insulator means and a row of generally tubular socket members that engage with the spring pin members located therein. The socket members are shaped and dimensioned so as to cooperate with each other, and each of the socket members abuts on the projection after the spring pin member is inserted, and the inner side wall on the opposite side of the socket member. An electrical connector assembly adapted to provide an abutting relationship for electrically engaging. 2. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein said at least one projection is generally egg-shaped, and a major axis of said egg-shaped shape is aligned with a longitudinal axis of said pin member. 3. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the center of the protrusion and the insertion end of the pin member is 1 to 5 times the diameter of the pin member. 4. The distance from the end of the pin member is long enough to allow the pin member to be partially inserted into the socket member before engaging the projection. Item 4. An electrical connector assembly according to Item 3. 5. The electrical connector assembly of claim 3 further comprising electrical connector means and means for securing said conductive means to said pin and socket members of said connector assembly. 6. The method of claim 6, further comprising a generally V-shaped stop means having a recess at an angle of about 60 degrees formed in each of said socket means, wherein said conductive member is positioned at a socket member. 6. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 5, wherein the electrical connector assembly allows for a fixed distance within. 7. The tubular socket member has a circular cross-section and the pin member is made of a seamless tubular material and has a generally rounded end for engaging the socket member. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein said socket member has chamfered ends to facilitate such engagement. 8. The electrical connector set of claim 2 wherein said insulator means of said socket connector assembly includes a surface portion for abuttingly engaging said surface of said pin connector assembly. Three-dimensional. 9. An electrical connector assembly including a pin connector assembly and an insulator, said pin connector assembly including insulator means having a row of recesses formed on a surface thereof. And a conductive pin member disposed in each of the recesses, wherein the insulator has a tubular socket member having a generally circular cross section in a row, and the socket member includes the pin located in the socket member. Wherein each of the pin members is made of a tubular material, and wherein each of the pin members is inboard of the opposite side of the socket member. Spring means for abutting against and abutting against the side wall, said spring means having at least one protrusion integrally formed on an outer surface of said pin member, said protrusion being an end of said pin member. Prescribed by department Distance is positioned in an electrical connector assembly, characterized in that it has a pin member so as to allow to partially inserted into the socket in the member prior to engagement with said projection. 10. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 9, wherein said predetermined distance is correlated with an outer diameter of said pin member. 11. The projection smoothly transitions from an outer surface of the pin member, the predetermined distance is within a range of 2 to 5 times an outer diameter of the pin member, and is substantially egg-shaped and has a length. 11. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 10, wherein the shaft is coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the pin member. 12. An enlarged contact area is provided by the abutment of the protrusion with the opposite inner side wall of the socket member to provide a stable contact engagement with respect to repeated contact engagements. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 9, wherein the electrical connector assembly comprises: 13. A method of making a mechanically and electrically conductive contact in an electrical connector, comprising a generally circular pin member having at least one protrusion thereon at a predetermined distance from an insertion end of the pin member. Providing an integrally formed pin member, providing the pin member such that the predetermined distance is correlated to the diameter of the pin member, and providing a generally circular socket member for receiving the pin member. And inserting the pin member into the socket member such that the protrusion engages against the inner side wall on the opposite side of the socket member to provide increased contact between the pin member and the socket member. A method of making a mechanical and electrical conductive contact on an electrical connector, wherein the electrical connector is adapted to create a region. 14. The predetermined distance is long enough to allow the pin member to be partially inserted into the socket member before engaging the protrusion with the socket member. Item 14. The method according to Item 13. 15. The step of providing the protrusion at a predetermined distance from the insertion end, wherein the distance is selected such that the center of the protrusion is within a range of about 1 to 5 times the pin member from the insertion end. 15. The method of claim 14, comprising the step of: 16. The step of providing the pin member and the generally circular socket member includes forming the pin member with a generally rounded end and engaging the socket member with the pin member and the socket member. The method of claim 15 including forming a chamfered opening to facilitate the opening. 17. The step of forming the pin member comprises selecting a generally flat piece of conductive material and forming a protrusion on the other side of the material by placing a recess in the surface of the material. 14. The method of claim 13 including the step of rolling and stitching the flat material to present a generally circular outer shape, the protrusions on the outer shape projecting outwardly on the outer diameter of the circular shape. the method of. 18. The step of providing the projection at a predetermined distance from the insertion end, wherein the step of selecting the distance is such that the center of the projection is within a range of about 1 to 5 times the pin member from the insertion end. 18. The method of claim 17 including the step of forming a generally rounded and generally closed end on the pin member.